The Good News, Bad News of Technology: High-Tech Cars May Drive You to Complacency
/New in-car technologies such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist can potentially keep you safer when driving, but according to a new AAA Foundation study, such systems can make you a complacent driver.
Drivers more familiar with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in vehicles tend to pay less attention to the road when using these systems, compared to those who drive without them, researchers have found. It’s the latest example of technology that has been described as two sides of the same coin, with advances bringing good news and bad news.
“In the study there was a tendency with drivers more experienced in the use of ADAS to put too much trust in the technology,” said Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast spokeswoman. “So, there’s a worry these drivers may become over-reliant on the technology, which in turn puts them – and others on the roadway – at risk.”
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety partnered with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute to study distracted driving among two groups of drivers: one that owned vehicles equipped with the new technology and the other that was given ADAS-equipped vehicles to drive.
Using in-car video cameras, researchers recorded and analyzed driver behavior and found the drivers who owned the ADAS-equipped vehicles were nearly twice as likely to take their eyes off the road. In other words, Mayko explained, they were generally less engaged when using the new technologies compared to driving without them.
The study revealed a difference in the behaviors of drivers new to using the technology, compared with those who’ve been down that road many times. Because drivers new to ADAS aren’t ready to “trust” the technology, they remain focused and engaged, researchers theorize while drivers experienced with ADAS have seen it work over time.
More than familiarity, they’ve come to rely on it, so they’re more likely to let their attention wander, the researchers explained. It is not the first time the phenomenon has been noticed.
Previous research involving airplane pilots and nuclear technicians found a similar link.
“Think back to the first few times you used standard cruise control,” said Mayko. “Initially, you most likely were hyper alert – cautiously feeling out the technology. But over time, it became just another feature of the car, one you barely thought about.”
AAA suggests that if you’re thinking about buying an ADAS equipped car – or if you already own one – learn about the technology and its limitations. Once you own a vehicle, AAA recommends:
Remain active and engaged when using new-car technologies;
Commit to knowing what technologies your vehicle has and how they work.
Expect these technologies have limitations.
“ADAs technologies have tremendous promise to improve the driving experience,” said Mayko. “But they’re not infallible. There’s still is no substitute for an alert, engaged driver.”
The Boston Globe reported earlier this year that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has made backup cameras mandatory on all new cars and recommends that consumers seek out cars with collision-avoidance systems.
The Globe reported that a 2015 study by Boston Consulting Group, commissioned by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, predicted that ADAS systems would reduce crashes by 28 percent if installed in all cars, eliminate $250 billion a year in damages to people and property, and save about 10,000 lives annually.
Earlier this year, AAA called for a common name to be used for the ADAS technology, noting that “To date, automakers have devised their own branded technology names which, for example, has resulted in twenty unique names for adaptive cruise control and nineteen different names for lane keeping assistance alone.”
At that time, AAA said “it is important for consumers to be knowledgeable about new vehicle technologies since misunderstanding of ADAS systems could lead to their misuse. To promote clear communication and consumer education … there is a need for standardized terms and definitions for ADAS features.” A year ago, AAA sought to raise awareness of the much higher cost for repairing car parts that include the new technologies, such as side mirrors, bumpers, and windshield glass.
